Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy in Edinburgh

At Active Health in Edinburgh, we offer you a dynamic and holistic physiotherapy approach to your treatment which is client centred and individual to you. Physiotherapy is a science based health care profession concerned with improving, maintaining and restoring your well-being. It aims to use physical approaches to reduce pain and aid repair of damaged tissues by promoting the body’s own healing mechanisms.
Research has shown that early physiotherapy intervention can help treat and manage a wide range of injuries and conditions such as back and neck pain (including whiplash), muscle injuries, joint injuries and arthritis, sports injuries, repetitive strain injuries, headaches, jaw pain and nerve pain. Physiotherapy is useful for treating all members of the population from young to old and from sedentary office workers to elite sports people. You can benefit from physiotherapy at any point in your life. The goal of physiotherapy is to restore maximum function by reducing pain and stiffness and correcting bio-mechanical insufficiencies to return you to normal function as quickly as possible.

When you come for an assessment at Active Health in Edinburgh, one of our friendly and professional physiotherapists will perform a comprehensive initial assessment.

The first appointment will take a bit longer as we need enough time for you to describe your problem or injury, how it happened, whether it was of gradual onset or a specific injury, and how it affects your day to day life. The physiotherapist will also ask you to perform a few movements while observing you and they will most likely perform some special tests so she can accurately work out what is causing your pain and dysfunction. These discussions, tests and treatments are all performed in one of our private physiotherapy rooms in our Edinburgh clinic. Once a diagnosis has been established and discussed with you, an individualised treatment plan can be formulated and planned with you on how best to resolve your pain or injury. At the core to our approach is your involvement in your own care, through education, awareness, empowerment and participation in your treatment.

Our physiotherapists at our Edinburgh clinic will typically use manual therapy or a physical ‘hands on’ approach to your treatment. This may include joint or nerve mobilisations, muscle energy techniques, massage and trigger point therapy, taping alongside other modalities such as electrotherapy (ultrasound and interferential) and acupuncture or dry needling may also be used to achieve the best treatment results. The treatments may be varied as the physiotherapist will continually assess and adapt their treatment plan depending on your body’s response to the treatment given. Exercise rehabilitation (which may include Pilates and core stability exercises) will be an integral part of your treatment. These exercises are given for continued treatment at home and to prevent further injury to the affected site but may also include exercises which may help other areas of weakness that may have been identified by your physiotherapist. The physiotherapist may also suggest changes to posture, habits or techniques which may be contributing to your problem. This advice and education, alongside the home exercise programme, will help prevent a re-occurrence of the problem and potentially prevent other future injuries.

You don’t need a doctor’s referral to come along to physiotherapy, however, if you are planning to claim physiotherapy through your private healthcare provider, we do suggest that you contact them to discuss their requirements before booking in for physiotherapy. Our physiotherapists at our Edinburgh clinic are registered with various Health Insurance providers such as Bupa, AXA-PPP, Aviva, Pru Health, WPA, Cigna etc. Our skilled physiotherapists, who are all registered with the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (MCSP), look forward to welcoming you to Active Health in Edinburgh.

Physiotherapy

Frequently Asked Questions

If your question is not answered, or if you seek further information about our service/s please email us at info@active-h.co.uk or call us on 0131 229 4987.

What is Physiotherapy and how does it work?

Physiotherapy is a science based health care profession concerned with improving, maintaining and restoring your well-being. It aims to use physical approaches to reduce pain and promote the body’s own healing mechanisms.

What can I expect when I receive a Physiotherapy Assessment?

Once a comprehensive assessment is done through an initial interview and physical assessment, we aim to provide each patient with a diagnosis of their condition. An individual treatment plan, with approximate duration, and likely prognosis shall be discussed and agreed with you. The treatment effects will be monitored and, if necessary adjusted, to ensure that agreed and realistic outcomes can be achieved. You will also receive some treatment and exercises in your Initial Assessment appointment.

The initial appointment, which includes an assessment, treatment and some exercises to work on at home, will last 45 minutes. Follow up appointments are normally 30 minutes, but more complex problems may require extended follow up appointments of 45 minutes.

The physiotherapist will need to see the affected area but may need to see more of you to perform a thorough assessment. Bring shorts if it is your lower limb. For back, neck and upper limb assessments, you may need to take your top off. Ladies may bring a vest top with you if you are not comfortable being assessed in your bra.

Will I need to do exercises at home?

Exercise will form an important part of your treatment plan to ensure an optimal recovery and to prevent future relapses and injuries. Our aim is to improve flexibility, strength, increase core stability, correct muscle imbalances and improve biomechanics and posture. In order to do this, your physio will give you a tailored rehabilitation program.

Who can Physiotherapy help?

Physiotherapy is beneficial for people of all ages to relieve their pain and improve their function. Physio helps to treat the injuries of not only professional but also recreational sports men and women.

Please note wheelchair access is possible at Active Health. Please mention this when booking so the appropriate room can be used. Home visits may be arranged on request if patients are unable to come to the clinic and live locally.

Almost any condition or injury that has pain, weakness, reduced range or stiffness can be treated with physiotherapy.

How many treatment sessions will I need?

Each person, their injury and their response to treatment is different. As we age our body also takes longer to heal. However, after the initial appointment, the anticipated course and duration of treatment will be discussed with you.

What is Manual Therapy?

Manual therapy is “hands on” techniques which includes massage, stretching and mobilisation techniques to improve the range of joint movement and reduce pain. It can also reduce swelling, mobilise muscles, joints and nerves, and promote blood circulation to improve healing.

What is Interferential Therapy?

Interferential is the use of electrical energy to manage pain, rehabilitate muscles and increase the range of motion.

What is Therapeutic Ultrasound?

Ultrasound is very high frequency sound that cannot be heard by the human ear. It is mainly used for soft tissue injuries, with a view to promoting healing and relieving pain.

What is musculoskeletal acupuncture?

Acupuncture is one of the oldest forms of medicine but has been shown in modern research to stimulate the brain to produce endorphins. These are natural pain relieving chemicals which assist to relieve pain and encourage healing. Traditional Chinese belief is that energy flows freely throughout the body, via channels or meridians. When there is a problem the energy stagnates. Stimulation by acupuncture using fine, sterile and disposable needles, at various points, helps to restore the healthy flow of energy in the body.

Does my doctor need to refer me for physiotherapy?

No, anyone can come to physiotherapy. However, if you are claiming from a Health Insurance Company, it is most likely that you need your GP to authorise this. Please contact your insurance company to find out your policy requirements.

If I have private medical insurance do I need to pay for treatment?

Each insurance company varies in the way they operate as far as payment is concerned. Some require you to pay for your own treatment and then claim the costs back whereas others allow us to invoice them directly. A doctor’s referral may also be required to authorise your treatment. We strongly advise that you discuss this with your insurer prior to arranging a consultation. We are registered with most insurance companies such as BUPA, AXA-PPP, AVIVA, Pru Health, WPA etc.

How do I know if my physiotherapist is qualified?

All physios at Active Health are Chartered physiotherapists and HCPC registered which means that they have undergone the necessary training to enable them to practice in the UK. You can look your physiotherapist’s registration on the HCPC and CSP websites. We will also be more than happy to show you our registration certificates. [